God speaks, but how often do we allow His voice to be heard? What drowns out His voice in our lives? Is it busyness, or fear, or selective hearing, or disbelief?

A few passages come to mind.

In Exodus 4, God appears to Moses in the form of a burning bush. When Moses hears God’s command, he protests. And God asks him, “Who gave man his mouth? Isn’t it Me? So don’t tell Me you can’t talk because I’m the one who gave you that ability, and I will tell you what to say if you will listen.” Funny, how when God says that, He’s not angry with Moses… He doesn’t get angry with Moses until Moses ignores His words and keeps protesting.

In Job 38, after God has a listened to Job and his friends debating for chapters on end, God decides to speak for Himself, and He says to Job, “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man. I will question you and you shall answer Me.” Then, God goes on for a few chapters, letting them all have it, so to speak. At that point, we can imagine God’s voice crashing like a combination of deep thunder and cymbals and giant ocean waves.

In Colossians 1, Paul says, “For God the Father has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Through this writing, God is clearly speaking. He is not angry or cynical, and He is extending love and mercy, forgiveness and adoption.

So which is it? Does God speak out of anger, or does He speak out of love? He speaks our of both and in the best tone as the situation warrants it. But it seems that what warrants it is both particular circumstances and also the heart of the person or the people who are listening… IF they are listening.

(Back to Job, chapter 33, Job’s young acquaintance says, “Why do you complain to God that He answers none of man’s words? For God does speak: now one way, now another, though man may not perceive it…” And he goes on to give examples of some of those ways that God speaks.)

That’s the thing. We all long to be heard. How much more must God long to be heard? And how much more joy must He receive when we are willing to listen to Him? For God certainly could speak to us in anger, especially if our hearts are proud or stubborn. But far more often, through the beauty of what He creates and the revelation of His word, the things He wants to tell us are good and are softly spoken. They are not always happy, because sometimes His good promises mean our admonishment or correction. But they are always good because His promises are always for our good. And many of them will bring us happiness, if we will allow Him to be heard and we will listen to what He says.

Are we worried? Let us focus on the good promises of God. Are we confused? Let us listen for the wisdom of God. Are we sad? Let us hear the whisper of God. Are we stuck? Let us be prodded by the passion of God.

But, above all, let us have ears, hearts, and souls that invite God to be heard.

To close, a short untitled poem:

“Who gave you your mouth?” I have

longed to shout

when the hearts that are proud

and stubborn speak out,

before opening the soul

I gave them to know

more than what would go

into their ears, slowly,

if they would listen.

Yet every day, I speak

in tones magnificent, but quietly,

to not overwhelm the weak

and to know if they really hear Me.

For everyone can feel thunder,

and anyone can tremble at anger.

But only those who live in wonder

will embrace the promised splendor

when My heart is truly heard.